Maine Republican Governor candidate Bobby Charles is facing criticism over his accusations that a South Portland state legislator is not loyal to the U.S. and should resign.

Charles reportedly referred to Democratic Representative Deqa Dhalac as a “radical Somalia-first” lawmaker.

Democratic State House leadership released a statement this week defending Dhalac and calling Charles’ comments racist and xenophobic as well as a disgusting smear campaign.

Charles responded last night on social media, saying he won’t back down.

Various social media posts in recent weeks by Charles have read, “Maine is not Somalia,” “Augusta Democrats put Somalia first,” “If Somalia is your priority, resign and pack your bags. Mainers don’t answer to Mogadishu,” and “Somalia-First politicians don’t represent the hardworking, America-loving patriots of this state. We pledge allegiance to the United States. If Augusta Democrats can’t do the same, you don’t belong in office”

One of the posts features Rep. Dhalac wearing a blue baseball cap with the phrase “Somalia First.” In a sub post, Charles has posted a link to a petition effort. The website at the link asks people to sign a petition calling on “Somalia first politicians to apologize and resign.” It also says “Deqa Dhalac, a Somalia-First Augusta Democrat publicly pledged allegiance to Somalia—not America.”

The website also asks for donations to Charles’ campaign for governor.

During a 2022 interview on ABC-TV after Dhalac was elected as the first Somali American mayor in South Portland, she was asked how people in Somalia reacted to her becoming mayor.

Dhalac responded, saying, “They are asking what can we do back home in Somalia, how we can change policies, how can the politics in Somalia resonate what we have in the United States, the democracy we have, how can you help us, you know, be a better country and build back what we used to have a long time ago. So hopefully we will be able to help our country, our former country, Somalia, and show what we can do here and that it can also be built into other countries.”

Several state Democrats, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and one notable Republican, Rep. Amy Arata of New Gloucester have come out against Charles’ campaign against Dhalac.

Arata has said Charles’ comment are inappropriate for somebody running for governor, and made reference to dangers state lawmakers face after two lawmakers were killed in Minnesota in June